Chris’s Recommendations for Study Bibles

The Bible is an awe-inspiring book. However, we don't want merely to admire it; we need to understand it. -- John MacArthur

Below is a list of Study Bibles that I would recommend to anyone who wishes to mine the truths of the Word of God.

NOTE: I am only recommending versions and Study Bibles that I am familiar with and my recognizing them as worthy of consideration is not a blanket affirmation of what they teach. With all things man writes, the doctrine and conclusions contained in the notes of these study aids should be weighed in the light of Scripture.

• KJV - Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (AMG)
• ESV - The ESV Study Bible (Crossway)
• NASB - The Macarthur Study Bible (Nelson)
• NIV - Ryrie Study Bible (Moody)
• NKJV - The Nelson Study Bible (Nelson)
• Reina-Valera - The Scofield Study Bible (B & H) SPANISH

Additional note: Some of these study Bibles are also published for different versions. For instance, the Ryrie Study Bible is available for the King James Version, New American Standard, New International Version, and the Reina-Valera. I have simply matched the version with the study Bible I feel suits it best.

There are also a slew of “specialty Bibles” such as:
The Evidence Bible: Irrefutable Evidence for the Thinking Mind
Holman Christian Standard Bible Apologetics Study Bible
NIV Quest Study Bible
NIV Archaeological Study Bible

These study Bibles are designed to aid the student in the area of Apologetics. As far as my personal favorite for study and depth, I have no choice but to recommend the less than popular:

NET Bible

Last, but not least, the internet has proved to be a great place to learn. Here is by far the most helpful site I know: http://www.bible.org/

Here is the bottom line:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV)

In the end, you don't need a study Bible as much as you need to study the Bible.